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The hormone insulin plays a crucial role in determining which fuel source the body will utilize. High insulin levels encourage sugar burning, while low insulin levels signal the body to burn fat. As insulin decreases, particularly after approximately 16 hours, the liver begins to burn fat for energy. This fat can be drawn from both the liver's own stores and from fat cells throughout the body.
What Are Ketones?
When the liver metabolizes fat and begins to produce more energy than it requires, it converts the excess fat into ketones. These molecules serve as an alternative fuel source, particularly for the brain, which thrives on them and can perform better during periods of ketosis. This makes ketones a vital energy source when glucose is insufficient.